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Blog

Posted on 3.20.2015 by Jody Noland

Have you ever been locked up? Spent time in the slammer?

No, not literally.

Have you ever been…or are you currently…locked in a prison of fear?

Most people have served some time there. And, sadly, many still feel locked up, desperate for freedom, but unable to make a jailbreak.

So many different fears can keep us there: fear for our children’s safety, fear about our health, fear about our financial future, fear of terrorism, fear of not measuring up, fear of being rejected, fear of being known. The list is endless. And the misery is real.

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Profiles in Encouragement: One Legendary 11-Year Old

Posted on 3.13.2015 by Jody Noland

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Meet Casey, age 11. She’s one of my heroes. And she’s legendary.

I met Casey through a friend who is her pediatric hospice nurse. My friend knows that I love to help people, especially hospice patients, write affirming letters to the important people in their lives. She told Casey and her mom about my calling, and they thought that writing letters might be something Casey would enjoy doing.

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What Finally Cured Me of Negative Self-Talk

Posted on 3.06.2015 by Jody Noland

When three different friends give you the same gentle reprimand over the course of a week, you know it’s time to listen. That happened to me a few weeks ago, and it was like a heavenly “smack upside the head.”

The issue: my constant bent toward negative self-talk and putting myself down. Yes, I love to encourage other people…to build them up…to help them see their best qualities. But when it comes to self-assessment? Not so much.

I am well versed in what’s wrong with me…but have continued to struggle to find “what’s right about me.”

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No Excuses

Posted on 2.27.2015 by Jody Noland

What’s upset you in the last few days? The annoyance of “snow days” when there has been no snow? Rush hour traffic? A friend who hasn’t followed through on a commitment?

Each of our lives is full of annoyances and irritations. It’s part of this broken world.

But for people on some parts of our planet, a “bad day” is defined very differently.

It’s defined as a life in slavery.

27 million people live in some form of slavery.

27 million.

In 2015.

Please don’t bury your head in the sand and say “I didn’t know.”

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Really...5 Life Lessons from Hang Gliding!

Posted on 2.20.2015 by Jody Noland

Yes, I really did go hang gliding. Some of you probably think I’m crazy. And you might well be right. Actually, I’m crazy enough that I would love to do it again!

A few years ago, as my daughter was about to head off to college, we spontaneously joined some dear friends on a hang gliding adventure. Honestly, it hadn’t been on my “bucket” list.

I had lived through a lot of unexpected change over the previous few years and survived. And I had begun to realize how healthy it is to try new things and to step outside of my comfort zone. (or fly outside of it, in this case)

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Getting Out of the Boat

Posted on 2.13.2015 by Jody Noland

The comfort zone. It’s a place that most of us want to stay…and a place that rarely produces personal growth. In reality, permanent residence in the comfort zone can be equated with stagnation or decay. And who wants that?

But stepping outside of one’s comfort zone? Most of us have an immediate blood pressure surge just thinking about it.

Recently, I was facing oh-yet-another step outside of my own comfort zone. And, yes, I was terrified. For someone genetically risk-adverse, the thought of pulling the covers over my head was highly appealing.

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A Meaningful Way to Love Your Daughter-in-Law

Posted on 2.06.2015 by Jody Noland

When my daughter was born, a friend shared a comment that stopped me in my tracks. She said: “If you’re only going to have one child, I’m glad you had a girl, because daughters never leave you. Sons do.”

I nodded knowingly, but I didn’t really have a clue what she meant. But as the years have passed, and friends’ sons have married, I now understand.

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Two Essentials for Great Friendship

Posted on 1.30.2015 by Jody Noland

Friendship. It’s something that all of us need for our emotional health and for our growth.

Yes, some people cultivate a long list of friends…and others are content with just a select few.

Some friendships last for only a season of our lives…others might be lifelong.

A person might have thousands of “friends” on Facebook, but few who really know them behind their electronic facade.

How many great friends do you have? And what makes for a truly great friendship, anyway?

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I Double-Dog Dare* You!

Posted on 1.23.2015 by Jody Noland

Today is National Handwriting Day. (Yes, I heard you yawn!) The date was set almost 40 years ago to coincide with the birthday of the most recognized signature in America: John Hancock's.

And yet in many of our schools, cursive writing is no longer even being taught. Most of us are more comfortable using some sort of digital device and typing than we are with getting out a piece of stationary and writing (or printing) a note or letter.

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Battling Discouragement

Posted on 1.16.2015 by Jody Noland

Oh, how I want to be like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Constantly filled with optimism, enthusiasm, and boundless energy. But if I’m honest, I’m much more like Eeyore, focused on my fears, failures and inadequacies. To the outside world, I mask it behind my smile and the standard answer of “Fine. I’m fine.” But when it’s just me and my faithful, ever-napping dog, my inner Eeyore usually reigns. It’s a constant battle.

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